"It's the only logical solution." How often have you heard that out of the mouths of someone trying to justify their position on anything? It's as if simply utilizing one word will offer reassurance that what is being done is the most reasonable, if not the only, means available to solve a problem. Once the word logic has been brought into play, you can pretty much be guaranteed that whoever said it considers the topic closed.
Before I go any further with this, let's pause to introduce a working definition of logic. This one is brought to you by the good folk over at the Wiktionary: "A method of human thought that involves thinking in a linear, step-by-step manner about how a problem can be solved."
Obviously that's very simplistic and comes nowhere near representing the numerous variations of logic, but I think it's what the majority of us would think of off the top of our heads when the word logic is mentioned. At the least, it gives us the manner in which the word is used, and what it is understood to imply, in everyday conversation.
The problem with such an open-ended definition is that it leaves the word open to being used in any and all circumstances when someone wants to prove their point. Instead of starting at zero and using logical thinking to build an answer based on the needs of the circumstances, they will start at their answer then work backwards to create the situation needed to give it validity.
Politicians, of course, are most liable when it comes to the inversion of logic, especially those who are concerned with making any sort of change in policy. They no longer seem to think it is necessary to look at the problems of society and create solutions based on the needs of people. Instead, they have an agenda of things they want to accomplish and they work backwards to show the problems exist that validates their solution.
Perhaps it's our addictions to ideology based on politics and religion that makes this possible. Socialism, Conservatism, Marxism, and Fascists alike have painted a picture of society that suits the needs of their solutions. Adherents of a religion will tell you their way is the right way because God has told them and their God is the only God.
Article comments
1 - Guppusmaximus
It would've been a great article if it didn't stumble into the boring world of politics. Maybe a more indepth look at the history of the word and the "numerous" variations of it's usage and meaning would have been an interesting read.
2 - sdfg
Perfectly stated.